Weight Loss Challenge

My second challenge began today. I decided to participate in a 12-week weight loss challenge. This is not an easy thing for me. I am a 43 year old mom of 4 children, married to a retired military spouse who is currently employed as a maintenance supervisor for the railroad now. I own my own Virtual Assistant business and have for 6 years now. I am in the "over-40" challenges with my health, meaning I now wear bifocal and deal with hot flashes and some perimenopause symptoms and have been for 5 years already. And I also deal with sleep apnea issues as well. I recently did a sleep study and hope to be getting a CPAP to help with that issue. So, the weight loss is not an easy thing for me. I have steadily gained weight with each childbirth (all 4 of them) and kept some of that weight each time. Mind you, my oldest child is now 20 years old and my youngest is 5. The sleep apnea zaps my energy much of the time so that takes away from me and the extra weight I carry is about 40 lbs more than I need. I am 5'3" and weigh 155 at the present time. Well, I read in the local paper that there was to be a weight loss challenge and I was really excited about it. I thought, 12 weeks is just enough time for me to lose most or all of my extra weight if I get my sleep apnea under control and I work really hard. And the timing couldn't be better. 12 weeks will end in December, just before the holidays, which could be really tough, if I lose my willpower but it could be a great way to start the new year too! So, I signed up for this challenge. The cost was $39 to join. And, if you lose enough weight, you win cash prizes just before the holidays too. Well, I convinced my friend, Nila to go with me so I wouldn't have to do this alone. She has less weight to lose but still has some to lose and we are great to motivate each other. Even Nila's sister Linda may join us on this challenge.

The group will meet every Saturday for 12 weeks, weighing in and discussing our goals, and triumphs and failures, tips and whatever. I am really excited about this and off to a great start. Nila, Linda and I walked today. I wore my pedometer and walked 10,000 steps today and did great with my diet for day 1. Granted, this is only day 1. This may not be so easy for me but I am determined to lose this weight. I am just so tired of trying on clothes only to find out that they would look great if I didn't have curves in all the wrong places.

A couple of my weaknesses are diet dr. pepper and late night snacking. I don't eat enough veggies, drink quite enough water and get quite enough protein so I am working on those issues.

When my hubby retired from the military and we moved, I lost 30 lbs easily, which is really strange for me because I am a stress eater normally. But after that first 30 lbs came off (yes, I did weigh 185 at that time!), I leveled off and haven't been able to move down from there.

Before I forget, there is more information on the weight loss challenge I signed up for at http://wlcnow.com. If there isn't a group in your area, maybe you should consider looking into setting one up. Anyway, wish me lotsa luck! I just may need it! ;)

If anyone is interested in joining me with a weekly weigh-in or with recipes, tips, workout suggestions, or anything else they want to contribute, feel free to comment.